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As we approach the Holiday Season, my staff and I would like to wish you the very best that this season has to offer.

It is a time when we can reflect on how fortunate we are to have what we have in our lives, and I am not talking about material things. I am talking about the good fortune we have in having good friends, and family to share our lives with.

It is no different in our practice. We appreciate all of our patients who have allowed us to be a part of their lives, and conversely, we feel blessed to have been able to be a part of our patient’s lives.

I have always said the best thing about being a dentist is being able to get to know each and every one of you. Many of my patients have become personal friends.

It is not a glib message from me on almost every newsletter that I wish for you to flourish and prosper in your lives. It is a true and sincere wish.

And so it is that I open this newsletter with my Holiday Wish for you.

May each of you flourish and prosper in life, giving and receiving only the best that life has to offer.

Happy Holidays,

– Dr. Daniel Klein

Dear Friends,

I wanted to let you all know that our Candy Buy Back was another huge success! Thanks to all of you who brought in your Halloween candy. We had families, schools, individual classrooms and scout troops bringing us candies for our courageous men and women in the forces. With all your help, we collected over 300 lbs. of candy!! They were packaged with notes, drawings and letters from everyone along with toothbrushes to help keep our soldiers smiling and sent to Operation Gratitude to be forwarded overseas to our armed forces.

Dr. Daniel Klein’s FUNtastic Dental & Orthodontics is proud to team up with The U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and other caring corporations to support The Toys for Tots program and Operation Santa Paws this year.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in our community. The objectives of U.S. Marines Corps’ Toys for Tots program are to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas and to unite all members of local communities in a common cause during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign.

Operation Santa Paws on the other hand, seeks donated pet toys for shelters and rescues to improve the health and demeanor of those pets while reducing their stress to increase the animals’ chances of being adopted. The simplest toys can make the animals much more comfortable. Cats enjoy rolling toys, such as small plastic balls or other “batting” toys that can be hung from cage doors, while dogs tend to prefer items like the heavy-duty Kong rubber chew toy.

Please help us help both of these amazing programs. Bring in a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, and/or bring in pet toys, treats, and supplies for Operation Santa Paws. We will be collecting donations until Monday, December 19. Thank you for all your help and support!

Dr. Daniel Klein’s Product of the Month

CareCredit is a flexible patient/client payment program, specifically designed for healthcare expenses, that makes it easier for you to get the treatment or procedures you want and need. CareCredit is ideal for co-payments, deductibles, treatment and procedures not covered by insurance, and can be used at over 45,000 practices nationwide.

How can CareCredit help me get the treatment or procedure I want?

CareCredit lets you begin your treatment or procedure immediately—then pay for it over time with low monthly payments that are easy to fit into your monthly budget.

What type of payment plans do you offer?

CareCredit offers a full range of No Interest and Extended Payment Plans for treatment fees from $1 to over $25,000.

With CareCredit, you pay no up-front costs, no pre-payment penalties and no fees. Plus, CareCredit is a revolving credit line for additional treatment or add-on charges, without the need to re-apply.

Hope this helps!

A Letter from Dr. Daniel Klein

Dear Patient,

As we near the end of 2011, I wanted to remind you to take advantage of any unused dental benefits. Every year you and your family receive a maximum amount from your dental insurance company – make sure to use all available benefits to complete any outstanding treatment. Almost all plans do not let you rollover unused dollars to the next benefit year.

If you have funds set aside in a flexible spending account (FSA) or healthcare saving account (HSA), now is the time to schedule treatment so your copayment amounts can be applied to this year’s deductions.

Call us today to schedule your appointment. We find that the holiday season is always our “busy time.” We look forward to seeing you soon. Please call or email us with any questions.

P.S. If you have friends or family who you feel would benefit from our preventive approach to healthy gums and teeth, please send them our way. We’ll take good care of them! Be sure they mention your name so that we can thank you personally with a token of our appreciation.

Best,

Dr. Daniel Klein

562-912-2007
Info@FUNtasticDental.com

Holiday Safety List

1. Do not buy a dry Christmas tree.

2. Never put a tree near a fireplace or heater.

3. Do not throw any kind of wrapping paper into a fireplace.

4. Never burn your tree in a fireplace.

5. Use caution when using candles.

6. Check Christmas lights before you use them, (Never use lights that have a frayed cord or missing light bulbs)

7. Turn off all Christmas lights prior to leaving your home.

8. Extinguish candles before you leave a room, your home and when you go to bed.

9. Get rid of your Christmas tree, before it becomes brittle or before January 1st.

10. Make sure your Christmas tree has plenty of water and has not been placed too close to a heat source or anything that gives off sparks.

11. Know how to call 9-1-1 or your local seven digit emergency number.

12. Know how to “STOP, DROP, and ROLL”

13. Make sure you have smoke detectors. Change the batteries once a year.

14. If you have a fireplace, make sure you have a spark arrestor.

15. Place a screen around your fireplace when it’s in use.

Have A Safe And Happy Holiday Season!

Toys for Tots & Operation Santa Pawsss

Tax Tip: Dental Expenses

Dental expenses can usually be used as a medical expense deduction on your state and federal taxes. There are qualifying minimums, so check with your accountant to see if you may benefit by having your dental work completed this year. Our office can provide you with a printed summary of your expenses to make your tax filing easier!Self-employed Individual
Dental expenses for people who are self-employed (with net profits for the tax year) can be deducted. These expenses can be deducted as income adjustments, for the total amount put forth for an individual’s dental insurance, as well as the dental insurance of the individual’s children and spouse.

Travel Expenses
Travel to and from a dentist’s office can also be used for dental tax deductions. Gasoline for cars, as well as repairs and toll fees can be deductible. Taxi cabs and other forms of public transportation like public buses are also deductible (even if you have to travel out of town to visit a dental specialist).

Keep in Mind
When making dental tax deductions, you can only deduct the amount of your dental expenses that is over 7.5% of your gross adjusted income. Your total gross adjusted income is available if you look at your form 1040 and examine line 34 carefully.

Tips
In order to be able to use dental expenses for tax deductions, it is essential that you efficiently keep track of and save all documents regarding your dental expenses. Whether these documents are credit card statements or invoices, it is vital that you keep accurate records of your dental expenses.

*If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a visit, please call 562-912-2007 email
Dr. Daniel Klein at Info@FuntasticDental.com